LAGRIDE GEARS UP FOR EMBER RUSH WITH 400 NEW VEHICLES AND 1,000+ MORE CAPTAINS

BY IFE ILESANMI 

LagRide has stepped up preparations for the 2026 Ember Rush, deploying 400 new vehicles across its Lagos network and targeting the mobilisation of over 1,000 additional Captains between now and December, as the mobility platform expands capacity for the busiest months of the year.

At the LagRide 2026 Driver Mobilisation and Fleet Flag-Off, held at the LagRide Centre in Alausa, Lagos, more than 100 Captains drove out in newly deployed vehicles, marking the first major deployment under the expansion programme.

The 400-vehicle rollout will continue in phases, with more Captains joining the platform as LagRide increases availability across Lagos ahead of the Ember Months and Detty December.

LagRide expects to facilitate more than 200,000 rides during its Ember Months push, as business activity, tourism, entertainment, airport traffic, events and the city's end-of-year social calendar drive increased movement across Lagos.

The Executive Director of LagRide Nigeria, Mildred Ekanem, said the mass deployment builds on an already significant operational footprint, with over 2,000 LagRide vehicles currently on the road across Lagos.

“We already have over 2,000 LagRide vehicles on the road across Lagos, and we are expanding from that position of strength. The 400 vehicles being deployed are part of our immediate expansion, and between now and December, we are targeting the mobilisation of over 1,000 additional Captains.

“The Ember Months bring increased movement across Lagos, and we are preparing ahead of that demand. Our focus is expanded availability, wider coverage and ensuring that when customers need a LagRide, there are more Captains ready to serve them".

A central focus of LagRide's Ember Rush strategy is to make the service more available, more rewarding and more attractive to customers from September through December.

The company is expanding further into communities including FESTAC, Ikorodu and Ajah, while increasing the number of Captains operating across existing locations to improve ride availability and reduce waiting times.

From September to December, LagRide will roll out a series of customer promotions, discounted rides, rewards, special offers and other benefits across the platform, with additional campaigns planned around major events and the Detty December season.

The programme will be supported by continued on-ground activations across Lagos, following a series of community and customer engagements undertaken by the LagRide team in recent weeks.

The objective is to give Lagos residents and visitors more reasons to choose LagRide throughout the Ember Months, combining greater vehicle availability, wider coverage, competitive offers, customer rewards and 24-hour support.

LagRide expects these initiatives, alongside the deployment of additional Captains and vehicles, to support its target of more than 200,000 rides during the Ember Months push.

By December, the campaign will transition fully into LagRide Detty December, with increased Captain availability and customer promotions designed around the significant rise in movement, entertainment and tourism across Lagos.

Transportation, Tourism and Lagos.

Chief Diana Chen, Chairman of LagRide, said the expansion forms part of a wider ambition to strengthen LagRide's role in the transportation and tourism experience of Lagos.

According to Chief Diana, the increasing number of vehicles being introduced into the ecosystem is intended to create greater availability for customers while opening opportunities for serious, professional Captains to earn and build sustainable livelihoods.

“LagRide is the face of transportation and tourism in Lagos. As the city welcomes residents, visitors, tourists and returning Nigerians, transportation must be ready to match the scale and energy of Lagos.

“We are building that capacity and making thousands of vehicles available for serious, professional Captains who are ready to work. At the same time, we want more people to use LagRide and experience a service that represents Lagos with professionalism and pride,” Chen said.

The company expects the increased capacity to become particularly important during the December tourism and entertainment season, when Lagos attracts significant domestic and international traffic.

Ekanem said the company's 24-hour customer service centre would continue to provide round-the-clock assistance, handling complaints, enquiries and issues including property left behind in vehicles.

LagRide also draws on the service infrastructure of CIG Group and GAC Motor, with several maintenance centres available across Lagos. Its Alausa facility operates as an express service centre dedicated to LagRide vehicles, helping to reduce maintenance downtime and return vehicles to the road quickly.

The mass deployment will also increase participation in LagRide's Drive-to-Own programme, providing more Captains with access to vehicles and a structured pathway towards eventual vehicle ownership.

Under the programme, Captains undergo an initial 90-day rental period before qualifying to transition towards vehicle ownership, subject to meeting the required performance conditions.

LagRide's Director of Public Relations, Ifeanyi Abraham, urged the newly deployed Captains to approach their roles with professionalism, honesty, hard work and a strong sense of pride in representing LagRide.

“We want our Captains to wear the LagRide identity with pride. Every time you pick up a customer, you are representing LagRide and you are representing Lagos. The standard of service our customers experience starts with you,” Abraham said.

He also called on the media to highlight the wider impact of LagRide's expansion across transportation, technology, tourism, job creation and economic empowerment.

Abraham said Lagos' position as one of Africa's leading business, entertainment and tourism destinations makes reliable and readily available transportation particularly important as the city enters its busiest months.

He said LagRide wants its Captains to develop the same strong sense of professional identity associated with organised mobility systems in leading global cities, while giving customers greater confidence in the quality and reliability of the service.

Taking about safety and Customer Experience,

LagRide said the expansion would be supported by its existing technology and safety infrastructure, including vehicle insurance, dashboard cameras and panic buttons integrated into its digital platform.

The company said further that  customer experience, Captain professionalism, vehicle maintenance and technology would remain central as the fleet and Captain network expands.

The newly inducted Captains also welcomed the opportunities presented by the programme.

Deborah Adeyemi, who has approximately three years of driving experience, said LagRide offered her an opportunity to earn income while maintaining flexibility over her working hours.

Another beneficiary, Mustapha Kayode Abdullahi, said his immediate goal was to earn sustainable income and ultimately become a vehicle owner through the Drive-to-Own programme.

With 400 new vehicles being deployed, over 2,000 LagRide vehicles already operating across Lagos, more than 100 Captains driving out at the Alausa event and over 1,000 additional Captains targeted between now and December, LagRide is significantly expanding its capacity ahead of the Ember Rush.

Further Captain and vehicle deployments will continue in phases as the platform prepares for increased mobility demand across Lagos during the final months of 2026.

Union Bank, AIICO Multishield, Checkers Custard, Others Back 5th Cycling Lagos

By Peter Dansu 

Union Bank of Nigeria Plc, AIICO Multishield, Checkers Custard and other corporate organisations have thrown their weight behind the 5th Cycling Lagos, an initiative designed to promote cycling, environmental sustainability and public awareness of responsible waste management.

The organisations' support is expected to strengthen the 2026 edition of Cycling Lagos, which is scheduled to take place on Saturday, September 12, 2026, at the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.

Speaking on the bank's sponsorship for the event in Lagos, Union Bank in a statement said its decision was in recognition of the impact of the initiative on the state, noting that the project extends beyond being a sporting event to promoting environmental sustainability.

“Our support for this project is in recognition of the impact that this initiative has on the State, which extends beyond sport event into environmental sustainability,” the bank stated.

President/CEO of Cycling Africa, Bamidele Adeleye, said the growing support from the private sector demonstrates increasing recognition of the role of collaborative initiatives in addressing environmental challenges while promoting healthy lifestyles and sustainable development.

He expressed appreciation to Union Bank, AIICO Multishield, Checkers Custard, Lagos State Cycling Association and other supporting organisations for identifying with the vision of Cycling Lagos.

He said the event has evolved beyond a cycling competition into a platform for promoting healthier communities, environmental responsibility, recycling and sustainable development.

“We are particularly encouraged by the support from corporate organisations that understand that cycling can be a powerful platform for communicating important messages about the environment and sustainability,” Adeleye said.

He added that the organisers remain committed to using the 5th anniversary edition to deepen conversations around recycling and encourage individuals, businesses and government at all levels to take practical steps towards building a cleaner and more sustainable society.

The 5th edition of Cycling Lagos, organised by Cycling Africa in collaboration with Lagos State Cycling Association, is themed “Trash to Treasure”, with a major focus on recycling, environmental consciousness and the need to unlock the economic and environmental opportunities presented by Nigeria's waste management sector.

The event will also feature the 5th Cycling Lagos Webinar, scheduled for Thursday, September 3, 2026, with the theme “Trash to Treasure: Unlocking Recycling Capacity for a Sustainable Future.” The webinar will bring together experts, policymakers, environmental advocates, recycling practitioners, businesses and other stakeholders to examine practical ways of expanding Nigeria's recycling capacity.

The 5th Cycling Lagos will feature cycling activities for adults and children, alongside advocacy and awareness initiatives designed to promote cycling and environmental sustainability.

For sponsorship, partnership and participation enquiries, visit www.cyclinglagos.com or contact [email protected].

Cycling Africa Takes Over Management of Cycling Lagos, Cycling Kano, Unveils Expansion Plan Across African Cities

By Peter Dansu 

Cycling Africa on Tuesday announced its assumption of the management and strategic coordination of Cycling Lagos and Cycling Kano, as part of a broader plan to position cycling as a major platform for sports development, tourism, healthy living, environmental sustainability and economic opportunities across Africa.

Speaking on the new development in Lagos, the President/Chief Executive Officer of Cycling Africa, Bamidele Adeleye, said the new management structure represents a significant step forward in the evolution of the cycling events.

He explained that Cycling Africa will provide professional management, strategic partnerships, marketing, sponsorship development, event production and expansion opportunities for the two flagship cycling initiatives, as well as other projects currently in the pipeline, while BrandEscort continues to provide media support for all the events.

"Africa needs more platforms that can bring people together across borders. Cycling provides that opportunity. Our vision is to build a network of cycling events and initiatives that can contribute to healthier communities, cleaner cities and stronger sports tourism across Africa,” he said.

He said Cycling Lagos, which is preparing for its 5th edition, has over the years grown into one of Nigeria's notable cycling events, bringing together professional and recreational cyclists, young people, families, corporate organisations, government agencies and cycling enthusiasts.

"Cycling Kano, similarly, has established itself as an important platform for promoting cycling and healthy lifestyles in Northern Nigeria.

"Under the new structure, Cycling Africa will build on the successes of both events while developing a unified African cycling platform capable of connecting cyclists, brands, governments, tourism organisations and other stakeholders across the continent," Adeleye stated.

According to the President, the long-term vision is to take the Cycling Lagos and Cycling Kano models beyond Nigeria and develop cycling events and initiatives in other African cities.

“Cycling Africa is being created with a much bigger vision than organising individual cycling events. Our objective is to build a continental cycling platform that connects cities, communities, brands and governments through cycling,” the he said.

Adeleye noted that cycling has enormous potential to contribute to Africa's development, particularly in the areas of youth engagement, transportation, tourism, fitness, environmental sustainability, job creation and community development.

He said the expansion programme will seek to identify strategic cities across Africa where cycling events can be introduced or existing cycling initiatives strengthened.

He said the new management will also pursue partnerships with governments, corporate organisations, international development institutions, cycling associations, tourism agencies and environmental organisations to create sustainable cycling programmes for a sustainable future.

The announcement comes ahead of the 5th edition of Cycling Lagos, scheduled to hold on Saturday, September 12, 2026, at the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.

The 2026 edition is themed “Trash to Treasure", reflecting the event's increasing focus on environmental sustainability, recycling and responsible waste management.

The event is expected to feature cyclists, children, families, corporate participants and cycling enthusiasts, while providing a platform for stakeholders to promote sustainable transportation and environmental consciousness.